N-phenylpiperazine derivatives of tetrahydrobenzodiazepines



United States Patent 3,133,656 N-PHENYLPHPERAZINE DERIVATIVES 0F TETRAHYDRQBENZODIAZEPENES Anthony Stanley Fenton Ash, Epping, Essex, Andrew Malcolm Creigton, London, and William Robert Wragg, Woodford Green, Essex, England, assignors to May & Baker Limited, Dagenham, Essex, England, a British company No Drawing. Griginal application May 15, 1961, Ser. No. 109,856. Divided and this application Nov. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 236,732

Qlaims. (Cl. 260-2393) This invention relates to new N-phenylpiperazine compounds of therapeutic value, to processes for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

According to the present invention, there are provided new therapeutically useful N-phenylpiperazine derivatives of the general formula:

[wherein X represents a straight saturated or ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon chain of two, three or four carbon atoms, which may be substituted by an alkyl or a hydroxy group, and in which, when the chain contains four carbon atoms, the carbon atom adjacent to the phenyl group may be substituted by an oxo group, R represents a hydrogen atom or an o-halogen or pfluorine atom, or an 0-, mor p-alkyl group, or an alkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkyl, cyano or sulphamoyl (including monoand di-alkylsulphamoyl) group in the ortho position, R represents a hydrogen atom or an 0- or p-fluorine or o-chlorine atom, or an o-, mor p-alkyl group, Q represents a straight, hydrocarbon group containing up to three carbon atoms which may be ethylenically unsaturated (when the benz-heterocycle may be a benzimidazole, a quinoxaline or a benz-1,5-diazepine) or saturated (when the benz-heterocycle is a benzimidazoline, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline or a 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenz-lfi diazepine) and optionally substituted by an alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl (including monoand di-alkylaminoalkyl), phenyl, aralkyl, amino, acylamido, alkoxy, alkylthio or trifluoromethyl group or a halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine) atom, or by two groups on the same carbon atom selected from alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups, or by two groups each on a different carbon atom selected from alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, amino, acylamido, alkoxy and alkylthio groups and halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine) atoms, and/or by one or two oxo or thiono groups, one of R and R represents a hydrogen atom, or an acyl, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group and the other represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl, alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl (including monoand di-alkylaminoalkyl) group orwhen Q represents an unsaturated group-one or both of R and R may represent single bonds] and their acid addition salts. It will be appreciated that, when one of R and R is a single bond, the grouping respectively when Q is an unsubstituted group will represent the group -N=CH, --N=OHCH -N=CHCH CH or N=CHCH=CH in which event R or R respectively represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent as hereinbefore specified. When R and R are both single bonds the grouping when Q is an unsubstituted group will represent the group N=CHCH:N, or N=CHCH CH=N. In such groups one or two of the hydrogen atoms may be replaced by optional substituents as mentioned above in respect of symbol Q.

It is to be understood that in this specification and the appended claims all alkyl, alkoxy and acyl groups referred to contain not more than four carbon atoms except in the case of products in which Q is substituted by an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group in which event the group may contain up to six carbon atoms.

' The aforesaid N-phenylpiper-azine compounds possess pharmacological and psychotropic properties, of utility in the treatment of psychiatric disorders having, in particular, a beneficial effect on abnormal psychomotor activity.

Preferred compounds are those represented by general Formula I wherein X represents the grouping or CH CH CH=CH, R represents a hydrogen atom or an 0- or p-fiuorine or o-chl orine atom, or an 0-, mor p-methy'l group, or a methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl or cyano group in the ortho-position, R repre sents a hydrogen atom or an 0- or p fluorine or ochlorine atom or an 0-, mor p-methyl group, Q represents a straight, saturated or ethylenica-lly unsaturated hydrocarbon group contairing up to three carbon atoms, optionally substituted by a radical selected from alkyl, hydroxyalkyl alkoxyalkyl, amino, acetamido, alkoxy, alkylthio or trifluoromethyl groups and a further radical on the same or on a different carbon atom selected from alkyl and hydroalkyl groups, and When Q represents a saturated groupby one or two 0x0 or thiono groups, and R and R are the same vor diiierent and represent hydrogen atoms or acyl, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, orwhen Q represents an unsaturated group-one or both of R and R represents or represent single bonds. 0f outstanding importance are those compounds wherein X represents the grouping -CH CH or '('CH R represents an 0- or p-fluorine or o chlorine atom or an o-methoxy or o-cyano group, R represents a hydrogen atom or, when R represents a pfiuorine atom, an o-fluorine or o-chlorine atom, Q represents the grouping -CR (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group) and one of R and R represents a single bond and the other a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group, or Q represents the grouping CO-OH(R )CO and R and R are the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or methyl or ethyl groups. Ofespecial interest are 2-methyl-5-2'-(4-o-chlorophenylpiperazin-1-yl)ethylbenzimidazole, 2-ethyl-5-2-(4-o-chloropheny1pipcrazin-l-yl)ethylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-5-2-(4-0-chlorophenylpiperazin-lyl) ethylbenzimidazole, 2,4-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7a2(4-o-chlorophenylpiperazin-1-yl)ethyl-1,5-benzodiazepine, 3-methyl-2,4-dioXo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7-2-(4-o-chlorophenylpiperazin-l-yl)ethyl-1,5-benzodiazepine and 3-ethyl-2,4- dioXo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7-2'-(4-o-chlorophenylpiperazin-1yl) ethyl- 1,5 -benzodiazepine and their acid addition salts; these compounds reduce Patented May 12, 1964' 3, abnormally high psychomotor activity and, in fact, have a sedating eifect.

According to a feature of the present invention, the N-phenylpiperazine derivatives of general Formula I are prepared by the process which can be described generically as comprising the cyclisation of a compound of the general formula:

II wherein X, R and R are as hereinbefore defined, and A and B are groups known to be capable of reacting together or jointly with a compound W to form the heterocyclic ring of the formula:

group, i.e. a benzimidazole compound, are prepared by reduction of a compound of the general formula:

@ i F Q- R: l

N02 IV wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl group, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined. The reduction may be carried out, for example, with tin or stannous chloride and hydrochloric acid, or by catalytic hydrogenation over platinum oxide in acetic acid, or electrolytically in acetic acid solution.

According to afurther feature of the invention, compounds of Formula I where Q is a group (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, pheny-l, aralkyl, amino, acylamido, alkoxy, alkylthio, or trifluoromethyl group) and one of R and R is a single bond and the other is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxy-alkyl or d-ialkylaminoalkyl group, i.e. a benzimidazole compound, are prepared by reacting a compound of the general formula:

NHRy (V) (wherein one of the symbols R and R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl o1 dialkylaminoalkyl group and the other represents a hydrogen atom, and X, R and R are as hereinbefore defined) with an acid of the formula HOOC-R; (wherein R is as hereinbefore defined) or a derivative thereof, such as halide, :anhydride, ester (including ortho or imino esters), amide, *lactone, nitr-ile, aldehyde or ketone, or

with guanidine. The reaction may be carried out in the presence or absence of a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid or in the presence or absence of a solvent such as aqueous hydrochloric acid, e.g. 6 N hydrochloric acid, or an excess of the c-arboxylic acid of formula HOOCR', or its derivative, for example, excess formic acid may be used as solvent. The reaction is preferably effected at an elevated temperature such as the boiling point of the solvent.

According to a still further feature of the invention, those compounds of general Formula I where Q is the group and one of R and R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl or dialkylarninoalkyl group and the other is a hydrogen atom are prepared by heating a compound of Formula V with an alkali metal alkyl xanthate, carbon disulphide or thiourea in a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol, or thiophosgene in an inert solvent such as toluene.

According to another feature of the invention, compounds of Formula I where Q is a CO, CO--CO- or COCR7R7, -CO group (R being as hereinbefore defined and R being a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxya-lkyl group), R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl or dialky-laminoalkyl group and R is a hydrogen atom are prepared by reaction of a compound of Formula V with a reactive derivative of carbonic, oxalic or malonic acid such as the acid chloride, amide or ester, or with oxalic or malonic acid or a C-substituted derivative thereof when the desired Q grouping is CO-CO or '-CO-CR7R7ICO. The reaction may be effected by heating the reactants in an inert solvent such as toluene (for acid chlorides) or alcohols such as amyl alcohol or dimethylformarnide (for acids, amides and esters) preferably at the boiling point of the solvent.

According to another feature of the invention, compounds of Formula I where Q is a COCH(R group, R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl or dialkylaminoa-lkyl group and R is a hydrogen atom are prepared by reaction of a compound of Formula V with a haloacetyl halide of the formula HalCOCH(R )-Hal, Hal representing a halogen atom and R being as hereinbefore defined. 'I'he reaction may be effected in an inert solvent such as benzene 0r chloroform with heating if necessary.

According to a further feature of the invention, compounds of Formula I where Q is a C(R )C(R v) group (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, phenyl, aralkyl or trifluoromethyl group and R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkoxyalkyl group) and R and R represent single bonds are prepared by reaction of a compound of Formula V wherein R and R are hydrogen atoms with an a,a'- dicarbonyl compound of the formula OC(R )(R ')CO (wherein R and R are as hereinbefore defined), such as glyoxal or diacetyl. The reaction may be carried out in an inert solvent such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, or benzene or toluene at the boiling point of the solvent.

According to another feature of the invention, compounds of general Formula I where Q is a CH CH CH or -CH CH CH group or such a group substituted by an alkyl, hydroxya lkyl, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, phenyl or aralkyl group and optionally by a fiunther alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxyalkyl group and R and R represent hydrogen atoms, are prepared by reaction of a compound of Formula V wherein R and R are hydrogen atoms with a diester of the formula:

(:wherein Y represents a reactive ester residue such as a halogen atom or a sulphuric or sulphonic ester residue,

and n represents 1, 2 or 3) or such a diester substituted as aforesaid for the group Q on one or two carbon atoms. The reaction may be carried out at an elevated temperature in the presence or absence of an inert solvent such as a ketone, an alcohol or a benzene hydrocarbon. The same compounds may also be prepared, according to a further feature of the invention, by reacting a diester of Formula VI with a compound of the general formula:

NHRn VIII (wherein one of the symbols R and R represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group and the other represents an acyl group, and R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl or dialkylaminoalkyl group) alone or in the presence of a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid, or caustic alkali.

According to a further feature of the invention, the compounds of Formula I Where Q is a -CO group and one of R and R is a single bond and the other a hydrogen atom, or Q is a grouping CH CO,

and R and R are both hydrogen atoms, are prepared by heating a compound of the general formula:

NHz IX (wherein Z represents a single bond or a CH or OH CH group, R represents a hydrocarbon group, and the other symbols areas hereinbefore defined) preferably in a solvent medium. Where Z is a single bond CH or -CH CH the product obtained is one in which Q is -CO, -CH CO or -CH CH CO- respectively.

[According to a modification of the aforementioned generic process, the N phenylpiperazine derivatives of general Formula I are prepared by reaction of a phenylpiperazine of the formula:

a he N NH i i U with a compound of the formula:

wherein the various symbols are as hereinbefore defined.

The reaction is preferably eirected by heating the reactants in an inert solvent such as a ketone (eg. acetone), an alcohol (erg. n-butanol), a benzene hydrocarbon or a halo' genated hydrocarbon in the presence of an acidbinding agent, e.g. a tertiary base such as tniethylamine. The acid-binding agent is conveniently an excess of the piperazine of Formula X.

According to another feature of the invention, the N- phenylpiperazine derivatives of general Formula I are prepared by reaction of a compound of the formula:

R2 with a heterocyclic'compound ot' the formula:

wherein one of the symbols Z and Z represents a hydrogen atom and the other represents the grouping and the other symbols including Y are as hereinbefore defined. The reaction is preferably effected by heating the reactants in an inert solvent (rfior example, those mentioned in respect or the last-preceding process) in the presence of an acid-binding agent. Preferably the reactants are those in which Z in Formula XII is a grouping -CH C-H -Y and Z in Formula XIII is a hydrogen atom.

Compounds of Formula I where X is a straight, saturated or ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon chain of two, three or four carbon atoms, optionally substituted by an alkyl or a hydroxy group are, according to a still further feature of the invention, prepared by reducing a compound of the general formula:

. (XIV) (wherein M represents an oxygen or sulphur atom, X is a straight, saturated or ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing one to three carbon atoms optionally substituted by an :alkyl or hydroxy group, and the other symbols are as hereinbefore defined) by known methods for reducing a carbonyl or th'rocarbonyl group to a methylene group. When M represents oxygen, reduction of the carbonyl group is preferably effected by treatment with lithium aluminum hydride; when M represents sulphur, reduction of the thiocarbonyl group is preferably elfected with Raney nickel.

It Will be appreciated that when Q in the starting material of Formula XIV contains oX-o or thiono groups, those groups will probably also be afiected by the reduc tion conditions employed, butt-he products will still be the scope of general Formula I since the oxo or thiono groups will be reduced to --CH Compounds of general Formula I in which X is or (C'H are, according to a feature of the invention, prepared by reacting a compound of the formula:

R4 XV (Iwherein Q, --R;, and R are as hereinbefore defined) with a phenylpiperazine of Formula X and, if desired, reducing the double bond in the product, eg. by catalytic hydrogenation using Raney nickel as catalyst, .to obtain a compound of general Formula I in which X is tetramethylene. The reaction may be eifected by heating the reactants in an inert solvent such as an alcohol, e.g. nbutauol.

According to another feature of the invention, the compounds of Formula I where X contains a CH grouping adjacent to the nitnogen atom of the piperazine nucleus are prepared by reducing a nitrile of the general formula:

(wherein T represents --CH --(CH XVI : --(CH -CO- or such a gnouping substituted by an alkyl :or hydroxy group, and Q, R and R are as hereinbefore defined), preferably by catalytic hydrogenation using a catalyst such as Raney nickel, in the presence of an N-phenylpiperazine of Formula X. The same compounds may "also, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, be prepared by reducing an aldehyde of the general formula:

represents N:CHNH or N=CH-CH= N may be converted to corresponding compounds in which the aforesaid grouping is NHCH -N-H or by reduction with aluminum hydride in a suitable solvent such as ether or tetrahydrofuran. Moreover, those compounds where the grouping Q is substituted by one or two oxo groups may be converted to corresponding thiono substituted compounds by treatment with phosphorus pentasulphide. In the case of compounds Where X is the grouping -(CH CO-, products may be obtained wherein X is (CH or -'(CH -CHOH- by reducing the carbonyl group to CH or respectively by known methods. Where X is a saturated chain substituted by a hydroxy group, such compounds can be converted to. compounds in which the chain is ethylenically unsaturated by dehydration.

The starting materials of general Formula II may be prepared by reacting a compound of the general formula:

B (XVIII) .(wherein the various symbols are as hereinbefore defined) with a piperazine derivative of Formula X, in an inert solvent'eg. an alcohol, ketone, a benzene hydrocarbon or a halogenated hydrocarbon, in the presence of an acidbinding agent, and if necessary converting the groups A and B in the resulting product, for example nitro or acylamido, into the desired groupings by known methods. The term known methods means methods heretofore used or described in the chemical literature.

When the comp ounds of general Formula I are used for therapeutic purposes in the form of salts, it should be understood that only those such salts should in practice be employed as contain unions that are relatively innocuous to the organism when used in therapeutic doses, so that the beneficial physiological properties inthe-rent in the parent com-pound are not vitiated by sideelfects ascribable to those anions; in other words, only non-toxic salts are contemplated. Suitable acid addition salts include hydrohalides (for example hydrochlorides), phosphates, nitrates, sulphates, maleat'es, fumarates, citrates, tar-crates, isethionates, methane sulphonates, and ethane disulphonatcs. These salts may be made from the bases of general Formula I by methods heretofore used in the art for making acid addition salts. For example, the acid addition salts may be made by mixing the required base with an equivalent quantity of a non-toxic acid in a solvent and isolating the resultant salt by filtration after, if necessary, evaporation of part or all of the solvent. They may be purified by crystallisation or by any other method commonly used in the i t The following examples illustrate the invention.

Example I 1 2' (4-acetamido-3-nitrophenyl)ethyl bromide (41.1 g.) (prepared by nitration of Lp-acetamidophenylethyl bromide with fuming nitric acid), phenylpiperazine (48.9 g.) and dry toluene (500 ml). were heated together under reflux for eighteen hours. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered from phenylpipenazine hydrobromide (32.3 g., 93%) and the filtrate evaponated to give a yellow crystalline residue. This was recrystallised from isopropanol/cyolohexane to give, on cooling to 0 C., 1'2'-(4- acetamido 3 .nitrophenyl) ethyl 4 phenylpiperazine (43.2 g., 82%), M.P. 1l7-119 C.

12'-(4-acetamido-3-nitrophenyl)ethyl 4 phenylpiperazine (15 g.) was added to a solution of potassium hydroxide (10 g.) in Water ml.) and ethanol (100 ml.) and the mixture boiled under reflux for thirty minutes. Dilution of the reaction mixture with an excess of water gave a solid product which, on recrystallisation from acetone/isopropanol, afiorded l-2'-(4-amino-3-nitrophenyl) ethyl-4-phenylpiperazine (10.9 g., 82% M.P. 136- 138 C.

1 2' (4 amino 3 nitrophenyl)ethyl 4 phenylpiperazine (12 g.) was hydrogenated in methanolic solution over a Raney nickel catalyst at 100 psi. and 24 C. The catalyst was removed and the filtrate evaporated to dryness to give a pale pink crystalline residue of the ophenylene diamine. This was dissolved in a mixture of glacial acetic acid (150 ml.) and sulphuric acid (25 ml.) and the solution boiled under reflux for ninety minutes. Evaporation under reduced pressure gave a residue which was dissolved in water (150 ml.) to give a solution which was made alkaline with ammonia. Extraction of the resultant precipitate with chloroform followed by evaporation of the dried (MgSO extracts gave a solid residue, which on recrystallisation from ethyl methyl ketone gave 2 methyl 5 2 (4 phenylp'perazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole (7.7 g., 65%), M.P..l78-180 C.

Similarly prepared, but replacing the acetic acid with propionic acid and using the corresponding o-chlorophenylpiperazine, was 2 ethyl 5 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole dihydrate (73% yield), M.P. 153154 C. (slight shrinkage at ca. C.) from aqueous methanol.

Similarly prepared, but using the corresponding o-methoxyphenylpiperazine, was 2 methyl 5 '2 (4 o-methoxyphenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole dihydrochloride as a colourless microcrystalline solid, M.P. 271- 274 C.

Example II A solution of 1 2 (4 acetamide 3 nitrophenyl)- ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine (169 g.) [prepared by reaction of 2-(4-acetamido-3-nitrophenyl)ethyl bromide with N-o-chlorophenylpiperazine in dry benzene in the presence of triethylamine] in methanol (2.25 litres) was hydrogenated over a Raney nickel catalyst (10%) at 70 p.s.i. and 35 C. The catalyst was removed and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness. The residue of crude 1 2 (4 acetamido 3 aminophenyl)ethyl 4 ochlorophenylpiperazine was dissolved in a mixture of glacial acetic acid (1.5 litres) and sulphuric acid (240 ml.) and the solution heated under reflux for 2% hours. The clear solution was then allowed to cool overnight to ca. 10 C. The solid product was filtered ofl", washed with a little isopropanol and ether and then suspended in warm water (2 litres). An excess of ammonium hydroxide (d. 0.880) was added and the precipitated base then filtered off, washed with water and dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid (2.5 litres, 0.8 N). The hot solution was treated with charcoal and filtered, and the filtrate made alkaline with ammonia. Extraction of the resultant precipitate with chloroform, followed by evaporation of the dried (MgSO extracts, gave an oily residue which on recrystallisation from aqueous methanol afiorded 2- methyl 5 2 (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)- ethylbenzimidazole dihydrate as pale cream rectangular plates (104 g., 67%), M.P. 104-109 C., resolidifies at ca. 125 then melts at 162-164 C.

Similarly prepared were 2 methyl 5 2 (4 ofluorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole monohydrate (42% yield), M.P. 115-118 C. from aqueous methanol, 2 methyl 5 2' [4 (2 chloro- 4 fluoropl1enyl)piperazin 1 yl] ethyloenzimidazole (71% yield), M.P. 194-195 C. from aqueous methanol, 2 methyl 5- 4' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl) 4' oxobutylbenzimidazole monohydrate (46% yield), M.P. 98- 102 C. from aqueous methanol, and 2 methyl 5 2- (4 n1 methylphenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole monohydrate (85% yield), M.P. 120-125 C. from aqueous methanol.

Example 111 1 2' (3 4 diaminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine g.) (prepared by deacetylation of 1 2 (4 acetamido 3 nitrophenyDethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine with potassium hydroxide, and catalytic hydrogenation of the resulting product in methanol over Raney nickel at 460 p.s.i.) and formic acid (100 ml., 98%) were boiled together under reflux for 2 hours. The excess of formic acid was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in water to give a solution which was made alkaline with ammonia. The precipitate was filtered oil, washed with water and then recrystallised twice from aqueous isopropanol to give 5 2 (4 0 chlorophenylpiperazin- 1 yl)ethylhenzimidazole as colourless plates (7.8 g., 76%), M.P. 195-197" C.

Similarl prepared from 1 2 (3 amino 4 N- ethylaminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine [prepared by reduction of the acetamido group of 1 2- (4 acetamido 3 aminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine in tetrahydrofuran with lithium aluminium hydride] and formic acid was 1 ethyl 5 2' (4 ochlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole dihydrochloride (41% yield), M.P. 257-262 C. from isopropanol/ethylmethyl ketone.

Example IV 10 hours While the water evolved (1.3 ml.) Was collected in a Dean and Stark trap. Evaporation of this solution to dryness gave a solid residue which, on recrystallisation twice from isopropanol, gave 2,3 dimethyl 6 2' (4- o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylquinoxaline as pale yellow needles (9.4 g., 75% M.P. 133-134 C.

Example V 1 2' (3,4 diaminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine (15 g.) dimethyl oxalate (5.4 g.) and amyl alcohol (500 ml.) were heated together under reflux for 30 hours. The residue obtained on evaporation of the reaction mixture Was recrystallised first from n-butanol and then from aqueous dimethylforamide to give 6 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 2,3- dioxo 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroquinoxaline as a pale cream microcrystalline solid (8.4 g., 48% M.P. 346-348 C.

Example VI 1 2' (3,4 diaminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine (7 g.), diethyl malonate (4.2 g.) and dimethylformamide (200 ml.) were heated under reflux for 21 hours. The solution was concentrated to ca. 70 ml. and then cooled to 0 C., diluted with ice-cold water (500 ml.) and filtered. The solid product, M.P. 261- 264 C., was recrystallised from aqueous tetrahydrofuran to give 2,4-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7-2-(4-o-chlorophenyl-piperazin-l-yl)ethyl-1,5-benzodiazepine as a pale yellow microcrystalline solid (5.4 g., 63%), M.P. 265-267 C. Further recrystallisation from n-butanol (ca. 250 ml.) raised the melting point to 277-278 C. The following salts have also been prepared: monomethanesulphonate dihydrate, M.P. -177 C. from Water; monoisethionate, M.P. 234-235 C. from aqueous isopropanol, and monotartrate, M.P. 202 C. (dec.) from aqueous ethanol.

Similarly prepared were DL-3-methyl-2,4-dioxo-2,3,4- 5 tetrahydro 7 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 1,5 benzodiazepine (20 hours reflux of the ophenylene diamine with a solution of diethyl methylmalonatein dimethylformamide gave a 35% yield), M.P. 270-274 C. from aqueous dimethylformamide;

DL 3 ethyl 2,4 dioxo 2,3,4,5 tetrahydro 7 2' (4 0- chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 1,5

benzodiazepine (15 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diamine with a solution of diethyl ethylmalonate in dimethylformamide gave a 21% yield), M.P. 254-256" C. from n-butanol;

3,3 diethyl 2,4 dioxo 2,3,4,5 tetrahydro 7 2' (4 ochlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 1,5 benzodiazepine (48 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diamine with a solution of diethyl diethylmalonate in dimethyl formamide gave a 5%.yield), M.P. 258-262 C. from methanol; 7

DL 3 phenyl 2,4 dioxo 2,3, 4,5 tetrahydro 7 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 1,5 beuzodiazepine (48 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diamine With a solution of diethyl phenylmalonate in dimethylformamide gave a 48% yield), M.P. 232-233" C. from isopropanol;

DL 3 acetamido 2,4 dioxo 2,3,4,5 tetrahydro 7- 2' (4 ochlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 1,5 benzodiazepine (25 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diamine with a solution of diethyl acetamidomalonate in dimethylformamide gave a 12% yield), M.P. 299-300 C. (sealed evacuated capillary) from n-propanol.

Example VII 1 2' (3,4 diaminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophen- I er under reflux for five hours.

Example VIII 1 2' (3,4 diaminopheny1)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine (12 g.), trifluoroacetic acid (30 g.) and 6 N hydrochloric acid (135 ml.) were heated together under reflux for six hours. The cooled solution was poured onto ice/water (600 g.) containing an excess of ammonia and the precipitated solid collected and recrystallised twice from aqueous ethanol (1:1) to give Z-trifluoromethyl 5 2 (4 ochlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl) ethylbenzirnidazole (7.8 g., 53%), M.P. 183-184" C. Similarly prepared were 2 hydroxymethyl 5 2'- (4-o-chlorophenylpiperazin-1-yl)ethylbenzimidazole (5 /2 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diamine with glycollic acid in 6 N hydrochloric acid gave a 86% yield), M.P. 240-242 C. from ethanol;

2 isopropyl 5 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1-yl)ethylbenzimidazole (14 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diamine with isobutyric acid in 6 N hydrochloric acid gave a 43% yield), M.P. 185-186 C. from isopropanol/diisopropyl ether;

1 ethyl 2 methyl 5 2' (4 ochlorophenylpiperazin-l-yl)ethylbenzimidazole (15 hours reflux of 1- 2' (3 amino 4 N ethy1aminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine with acetic acid in 6 N hydrochloric acid gave a 45% yield), M.P. 143-144" C. from isopropanol/di-isopropyl ether;

2 benzyl 5 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazle (6 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diamine with phenylacetic acid in 4 N hydrochloric .acid gave a 40% yield), M.P. 170-171 C. from aqueous methanol, and

2 methoxymethyl 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin-l-yl)ethylbenzimidazole dihydrate (3 hours reflux of the o-phenylene diarnine with methoxyacetic acid in 4 N hydrochloric acid gave a 56% yield), M.P. 75-77 C. from aqueous methanol.

Example IX 1 2' (3 acetamido 4 N ethylacetamidophenyl) ethyl-4-o-chlorophenylpiperazine (4.4 g.) (prepared by acetylation of the corresponding 3-amino-4-N-ethylamino compound with acetic anhydride), acetic acid (20 ml.) and 6 N hydrochloric acid (100 ml.) were heated togeth- The cooled solution was poured onto ice/water (300 g.) containing an excess of ammonia and the resultant precipitate was extracted with chloroform. Evaporation of the chloroform extracts gave a solid residue which, on recrystallisation from isopropanol/di-isopropyl ether, afforded 1-ethyl-2-methyl-5- 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole (2.4 g., 54%), M.P. 141-143 C.

Example X 1 2' (3,4 diaminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine (5 g.) was boiled together under reflux with an ethanolic solution of potassium ethyl xanthate (prepared by adding 1.0 ml. of carbon disulphide to a solution of 0.94 g. potassium hydroxide in ml. of ethanol and 2 ml. of Water) for 3 hours. The cooled solution was diluted with water (50 ml.), allowed to stand overnight and the solid precipitate collected and recrystallised from n-butanol to give 5-2-(4-0-chlorophenylpiperazin- 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole-2-thione as pale pink microneedles (3.9 g., 70%), M.P. 262-264" C.

Example XI 1 2' (3,4 diaminophenyl)ethyl 4 o chlorophenylpiperazine (5 g.), ethylene cyanohydrin (1.3 g.) and 6 N hydrochloric acid (100 ml.) were boiled together under reflux for five hours. The cooled solution was poured onto ice/water (400 g.) and the precipitated purple oil extracted with ethyl acetate. The residue obtained by evaporation of the solvent was recrystallised twice from ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (B.P. 60-80 12 C.) to give 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-2-(4-o-chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethylbenzimidazole (1.0 g., 170), M.P. 149-151" C. (dec.).

Example X11 1 2' (4 acetamido 3 aminophenyl)ethyl 4 ochlorophenylpiperazine (5 g.), acetic acid (20 ml.) and 6 N hydrochloric acid (100 ml.) were heated together under reflux for five hours. The solution was evaporated and the residue poured onto ice/water (300 g.) containing an excess of ammonia. The solid precipitate was collected and recrystallised from aqueous methanol to give 2 methyl 5 2' (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin lyl)ethylbenzimidazole dihydrate (4.8 g., M.P. 103- 110 C., resolidifles at ca. 125 C. then melts at 163- 164 C.

Example XIII o-Cyanobrornobenzene (32.7 g.) and anhydrous piperazine (33.6 g.) were heated together in a bomb at 170 C. for 18 hours. The cooled melt was shaken with 2 N hydrochloric acid and chloroform and the aqueous acid solution made alkaline with sodium hydroxide. The basic product was extracted into chloroform, the chloroform extract washed with water and the dried (MgSO chloroform solutions evaporated to dryness to give N-o-cyanophenylpiperazine (24.4 g., 100%) a viscous oil sufliciently pure for the next stage. A sample of N-o-cyanophenyl- 4 3 nitro 4' benzylarninophenyl 4 oxobutyl chloride (20 g.) (prepared by reacting 4-3'-nitro-4- fluorophenyl-4-oxobutyl chloride with benzylamine in diethyl ether at room temperature) and o-chlorophenylpiperazine (23.7 g.) were intimately mixed and heated at 145 C. for 1% hours. After cooling, the dark solid mass was extracted successively with water and ethyl acetate. The organic extract was separated and treated with a slight excess of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The precipitated solid was filtered off, washed with ethyl acetate, dissolved in boiling methanol and the solution treated with excess ammonia (d.=0.88). On cooling the orange yellow solid was collected on a filter and recrystallised (charcoal) from ethyl acetate-cyclohexane. The product, 1-4'-(3-nitro-4-benzylaminophenyl)-4-oxobutyl- 4-o-chlorophenylpiperazine (20 g., 67.5%), melted at 1126-7 C.

1 4' (3 nitro 4 benzylaminophenyl) 4' oxobutyl-4-o-chlorophenylpiperazine (18.6 g.) was hydrogenated in tetrahydrofuran (200 ml.) over Raney nickel (10%) at 100 psi. and 25 C. After hydrogen uptake had ceased, the reaction mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a brown syrup. This syrup was dissolved in acetic acid (100 ml.) and acetic anhydride (80 ml.) containing a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid and the solution heated at C. for 1 hour. After concentration in vacuo to ml., the residual solution was poured onto ice. The solid product was collected on a filter and dissolved in 4 N hydrochloric acid ml.) and acetic acid (50 ml.). The solution was refluxed for 5 hours, concentrated in vacuo to 100ml. and poured onto a mixture of crushed ice and excess ammonia. The resultant oil was extracted into ethyl acetate (3 x 100 ml.) and the combined organic extracts dried over sodium sulphate. Addition of a slight excess of ethereal hydrogen chloride to the filtered ethyl acetate solution gave a gummy solid which crystallised on trituration with acetone. This solid on recrystallisation from a mixture of methanol, acetone and ethyl acetate gave the product 1- benzyl 2 methyl 5 4 (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin-l-yl)-4'-oxobutylbenzimidazole dihydrochloride (16 g., 76%), MP. 2379 C.

The present invention includes within its scope pharmaceutical compositions which comprise one or more compounds of general Formula I or their acid addition salts as aforesaid together with a significant amount of a pharmaceutical carrier. The invention includes especially such compositions made up for oral or parenteral administration. In clinical practice the compounds of the present invention will normally be administered orally.

Solid compositions for oral administration include cornpressed tablets, pills, dispersible powders, and granules. In such solid compositions, one or more of the active compounds is or are admixed with at least one inert diluent such as calcium carbonate, potato starch, alginic acid, or lactose. The compositions may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g. lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate.

Liquid compositions for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water and liquid paraffin. Besides inert diluents such compositions may also comprise adjuvants, such as wetting and suspending agents, and sweetening and flavouring agents.

The compositions according to the invention for oral administration also include capsules of absorbable material such as gelatin containing the one or more of the active substances with or without the addition or diluents or excipients.

Preparations according to the invention for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions or emulsions. Examples of nonaqueous solvents or suspending media are propylene, glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as wetting, emulsifying and dispersing agents. They may be sterilised by, for example, filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporation in the compositions of sterilising agents, by irradiation, or by heating. They may also be manufactured in the form of sterile solid compositions, which can be dissolved in sterile water or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use.

The percentage of active ingredient in the compositions of the invention may be varied, it being necessary that it should constitute a proportion such that a suitable dosage shall be obtained. Obviously several unit dosage forms may be administered at about the same time. In general, the preparations of the present invention should normally contain at least 0.025% by weight of active substance in the case of injectable solutions and at least 0.1% by weight of such substance in the case of oral preparations.

14 The following examples illustrate pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention.

Example XV Tablets of the formula:

2,4 dioxo 2,3,4,'5 tetrahydro 7 2 (4 ochlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 1,5 benzodiazepine 10 Lactose Q. 49.5

Starch 20 Dextrin 20 Magnesium stearate 0.5

are prepared by intimately mixing the benzodiazepine derivative, lactose, starch and dextrin and passing the mixture through a 60-mesh British standard sieve. After addition of the magnesium stearate, the mixture is granulated to a suitable size and the granules compressed to form tablets.

Example XVI An injectable solution of the formula:

2 methyl 5 2 (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin- 1-yl)ethylbenzimidazole dihydrochloride g 1.0 Distilled water Up to ml.

NHC6 Ra where R is a halogen atom and R and R are radicals selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, phenyl, acetamido, and lower alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms.

2. 2,4 dioxo 2,3,4,5 tetrahydro 7 2' (4 ochlorophenylpiperazinl-yl) ethyl l ,S-b enzodiazepine.

3. 3 methyl 2,4 dioxo 2,3,4,5 tetrahydro 7 2'- (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl) ethyl 1,5 benzodiazepine.

4. 3 ethyl 2,4 dioxo 2,3,4,5 tetrahydro 7 2- (4 o chlorophenylpiperazin 1 yl)ethyl 1,5 benzodiazepine.

5. A pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acid addition salt of the compounds of claim 1.

No references cited. 

1. A PHENYLPIPERZINE DERIVATIVE OF THE FORMULA: 